Budget carrier Spirit Airlines appears on the verge of collapse after months of efforts to stave off its demise.
According to an initial report from Wall Street Journal and a subsequent story in the New York Times, the company’s last-minute bid for a roughly $500 million government bailout failed. As such, the airline known for no frills, cheap fairs and bright yellow regalia appears destined to finally succumb to liquidation threatened by its latest bankruptcy filing.
A report from Reuters later in the day quoted President Donald Trump speaking Friday, May 1, saying the White House gave the airline a final proposal.
“We’re looking at Spirit. If we can help them, we will, but we have to come first,” Trump told reporters. “If we could do it, we’d do it, but only if it’s a good deal.”
The president indicated he expected another announcement at some point.
The report also notes the increase in fuel prices, caused in part by the ongoing war with Iran, are a key factor in the airline’s potential failure.
Spirit representatives did not immediately respond to either outlet. The immediate impact on passengers was unclear on Friday, May 1. As of lunchtime, Spirit’s website was still operational.
How many DTW travelers use Spirit Airlines?
Annual data from the Wayne County Airport Authority shows Spirit was the second most used airline at Detroit Metro Airport in 2025. The more than 1.7 million passengers served by the Florida-based airline was second only to Delta.
Spirit Airlines’ origins in metro Detroit
Spirit’s origins trace to Macomb County, where it began as Charter One in the early 1980s. At the time, it was a tour operator offering trips for casino-bound gamblers and other fliers. The flights were from Chicago to Atlantic City, and later Boston to Atlantic City. It became Spirit Airlines in the early 1990s, relocating to Florida.
Reach Dave Boucher at dboucher@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Spirit Airlines on verge of shutdown, putting Detroit flights at risk
Reporting by Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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